Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

On the tenth day of the third month of the fourteenth year of Chongzhen, the allied forces of Zui Camp and Western Tumed arrived near the Eastern Tumed tribe of Mongolia south of the desert.

After investigation, it was learned that the Dong Tumed tribe had just completed the migration of pastures and was far away from other tribes that originally bordered them.

But the coalition forces had a dispute over whether to launch a raid on the Eastern Tumed tribe, and Ombu saw this as a rare opportunity.

The leader of the Dong Tumed tribe, Gan Tu, was an arrogant man. That was why he dared to move the pasture on his own when other tribes were gathering to guard against surprise attacks.

Since the division of East and West Tumed, they have been fighting each other for pastures. Not only has the relationship not eased, but they have come to regard each other as arch-enemies.

Especially three years ago, the Dongtumed tribe looted Ombu's pasture and killed thousands of his herdsmen, which was a shame for Ombu.

However, the Dongtumed tribe was dependent on the Qing Dynasty and had been incorporated into the Eight Banners of Mongolia by Huang Taiji. With the limited military force that Ombu had, he was simply unable to compete with it.

But now it is different. Although Ombu's troops are still small, he has Li Zicheng's 30,000 elite cavalry.

During the past month of getting along with him, Ombu was becoming more and more horrified. These 30,000 Han people were not only good at serving as cavalry, but were also good at fighting on foot after dismounting from their horses.

Especially the efficiency of this army. Generally speaking, after a battle, it is necessary to count the military achievements, gather scattered war horses, deal with prisoners, treat wounded soldiers, and also loot the enemy.

This process usually takes half a day for an ordinary army, but Li Zicheng only needs an hour at most.

Their soldiers seemed to have long been accustomed to the style of coming and going as the wind, and would not stay in one place for more than two days.

Their division of labor is very clear. When the battle begins, everyone fights hard. When the battle is over, some chase, some collect resources, and some dig pits to bury the bodies.

Ombu witnessed this highly efficient force more than once, and a drama of high administrative efficiency was performed right under his nose.

It is also because of this that Ombu has been persuading Li Zicheng these two days, hoping to convince Li Zicheng to set the next target of looting on the Dongtumed tribe.

In order to get Li Zicheng to agree, Ombu even promised not to take credit for the battle, and all the spoils would be given to the Guizi Camp.

He only asked that after the battle, his lost pasture be recaptured and all the Dongtumed prisoners of war be handed over to Ombu for handling.

With this kind of distribution, the Zui Camp has actually gained a great advantage.

After all, the captives were of no use to Li Zicheng, and the Zui Camp did not need to operate a ranch.

But even so, Li Zicheng still did not agree directly.

With more than a decade of experience in battle, his intuition told him that the situation on the entire grassland was a little strange.

In order to defend against him, most other tribes gathered together to form a superior military force, but the Eastern Tumed tribe did the opposite.

Even though Omubu repeatedly said that the rabbit chaser was extremely arrogant, Li Zicheng did not really believe it.

He only believed what he saw.

However, after being instigated by Omubu several times, Li Zicheng has been a little hesitant in the past two days.

A few days ago, an imperial decree came down. In view of his military achievements outside the Great Wall, the emperor pardoned the crimes of the Zui Camp.

This should have been a happy thing. After all, after wandering outside the Great Wall for three months, I finally didn’t have to worry anymore.

The emperor said in his edict that he hoped the Zui Camp would continue to expand its military achievements outside the Great Wall, and promised that if he had more military achievements, he would be rewarded according to his merits.

It was this imperial edict that caused Li Zicheng to become entangled with the Dongtumed tribe.

Reason told him that it might be a trap and it would be best not to attack rashly.

But he was too eager for military merit. The merits of the first six battles barely redeemed his sins, and from then on, he would have to achieve real military merit.

He had long known that the Ming court now rewarded military merit generously. In the past two or three years alone, more than 30 people had been awarded titles for their merits, and more than a dozen had inherited the title.

Li Zicheng grew up in poverty and became displaced after the rebellion. Why was he doing this?

Live and live better than others.

Human desires are always like this. When the lowest level demands are met, more desires will arise in the heart.

Over the past decade, many of his colleagues who started the rebellion with him have died, but he is the only one who survived.

Now, he is eager for military exploits. He needs more victories to prove himself and gain glory.

If I could obtain a title from the imperial court because of this, my life would not be lived in vain. Even if I return to my hometown to pay homage to my ancestors, it would comfort them.

"King Chuang, we have been stationed here for two days. You'd better make a decision early. It's too risky to stay in one place all the time." Niu Jinxing said after finding Li Zicheng.

At this time, Li Zicheng was observing the surrounding terrain map provided by Emubu. Niu Jinxing was accompanied by Li Zicheng's generals Liu Zongmin, Hao Yaoqi, Liu Tichun and others.

"Prince Chuang, haven't the scouts already found out? The rabbit-herding force is only about 20,000.

We have 30,000 men in our headquarters, and the King of Shunyi has 10,000 men.

Now that we are full of morale, after we have redeemed our sins, if we have more military merits, the court will reward us!" Liu Zongmin said excitedly.

"Yes, Prince Chuang, the soldiers below are also waiting for your orders!

The imperial court offered a reward of ten taels for each Mongol Tartar, and they were all waiting to kill the enemy and earn the reward!" Hao Yaoqi also echoed.

He had always had some conflicts with Liu Zongmin, but their ideas on attacking the Dongtumed tribe were surprisingly consistent.

Senior generals were promoted based on their military achievements, but for ordinary soldiers, the most practical thing was to earn rewards.

The head of one enemy is worth half a year’s military pay to them.

If they could kill a few more people, not only would they be promoted, but the salary alone would be enough for their families inside the Great Wall to live well for a long time.

It can be said that the entire Zui Camp is now filled with an atmosphere of seeking war.

Not long after, Ombu also came and persuaded Li Zicheng to attack Dongtumed again.

It was also at this moment that Li Zicheng's greed for military exploits finally overcame his rationality.

"Since everyone agrees, let's go out tomorrow."

……

On March 15th, the 14th year of Chongzhen, the Qing army camped 100 miles east of the Dongtumed tribe.

"Your Majesty, the scouts just reported that Li Zicheng's army is heading towards the Dongtumed tribe." Prince Li Daishan came personally to report.

Upon hearing this, the Qing Emperor Huang Taiji put down the military book in his hand.

He looked much older than he had two years ago, even though he was only fifty years old.

Perhaps it was a hidden illness, or perhaps he was too exhausted from handling state affairs over the years, but he always felt sleepy every day, especially right after a meal.

He stood up and sighed:

"Ahem, ahem, is the fish finally going to take the bait?"

……